HOPE FEARLESSLY

HOPE FEARLESSLY is a historical fiction novel by Carol Trant Dean. It chronicles the true story of Hope Trant who is born and raised on her family's estate in County Tipperary where she's told by her father that all of the girls must be able to support themselves upon graduation from boarding school. Hope's dream is to become a physician in Dublin, Ireland.

However, the Great War modifies her dream in ways she never would have imagined. As a nurse, Hope is chosen by the Voluntary Aid Detachment to lead a group of fellow nurses in France to pick up wounded soldiers on the battlefield in makeshift ambulances and deliver them to the correct station to be patched up and returned to the battlefield. Because of her meritorious service, she is awarded a scholarship which pays for her classes and training.

Upon graduation, Hope takes her mother to visit Ruth, her younger sister, and her family in South Africa. They both fall in love with the continent and its people. Hope opens her practice of medicine while taking care of Mother. Upon Mother's death, Hope sells her farm and moves to missionary hospitals in East Africa where she's able to practice medicine and teaches herself Swahili, their native tongue. She also accepts a position as a research supervisor to collect samples from the indigenous peoples to find a cure for tropical diseases which spread rapidly in the jungles, killing many people. When her nemesis, Colonel Laurie, refuses to let her have any more antibiotics, Hope writes him in London explaining the need. But he won't budge an inch, refuses all medication and demotes her to receive a smaller salary.

Throughout her life, Hope realizes she must fight to be admitted to medical school, to have a medical practice in Europe, and to be respected in her profession.She always works to excel in any endeavor-academics, hospital administration, or as a researcher. Except in Africa where she's welcomed with open arms by the fellow professionals and her patients.

Hope outlives her four siblings whom she visited regularly. Today her descendants, although scattered around the world, continue to respect her as the standard bearer for their family.